Pickup Styx Read Online Free PDF Page A

minutes we did have with each other. Not trying to out maneuver the other one.
    “So who are we meeting?” he asked.
    “Corbin,” I mumbled as I pulled him toward a booth.
    “I think I misheard you.” He didn’t look amused. “It sounded like you said Corbin.”
    “He’s been there.”
    Cheney took a seat. “You can’t trust him.”
    “I know.”
    “He will use you.”
    “I know.”
    “Feed off of you.”
    “Yes, I know . Trust me.” I took his hand. “He’s my best chance.”
    “Selene, my pet, it’s lovely to see you again,” Corbin’s silky voice came from beside me, and his lips ever so softly grazed my cheek. “Erlking,” he said flatly, not bothering to look at Cheney. “Paolo says you need my help.” He smiled, his dark brown eyes glittering beneath his platinum hair. “Is the Erlking not fulfilling your needs?”
    Cheney stiffened and I held back a sigh. “I need your help with a slightly more delicate matter.”
    “Consider my curiosity piqued.”
    I started to explain, but Cheney interrupted. “I have a question before we go any further.”
    Corbin looked at him with a bored expression.
    “Why would a vampire have gone to the Underworld? What purpose could you possibly have there?”
    The carefully controlled, cool expression evaporated from Corbin’s face, and his eye filled with too many emotions to identify. He stood up. “It was good seeing you.” He started for the door and I caught his arm.
    “Please. I need your help. Please listen to what I have to say.”
    He glanced at Cheney and scowled. Then he looked back at me. “I’ll talk to you. Just you. He leaves.”
    I nodded and stood so Cheney could slide out of the booth. Cheney’s face said that he didn’t like it at all, but he complied with Corbin’s demand. “Don’t do this,” he whispered in my ear.
    “You know I have to,” I said.
    “I’ll be at the bar if you need anything.” His face was a blank mask as he strode away. I hated that I was hurting him, but was dying any better?
    Corbin and I settled back down. Humor was still vacant from his face.
    “Why did he bring up the Underworld?” The fingers on his left hand twitched. “Whatever you’re into, get out of it now.”
    “I wish I could. I have to retrieve the Pole of Charon or I’ll die. No second chances.”
    He let out a slow breath. “What do you think I can do?”
    I swallowed. I couldn’t ask him. “I need to know how to get there, what to expect, and any other information you think might help me.”
    He nodded. “You want my advice? Don’t go. Stay here and face your death.”
    I pressed my lips together and stood up. “Thanks for your time.”
    “Selene—”
    “I have less than four days to live. I’m not going to waste them here.”
    “I’m sorry I can’t help you. I can’t go back there.” Corbin gripped my hand, something desperate in his eyes.
    “Are you also sorry that you took away my last thread of hope and told me to lie down and die?” I yanked my hand from his and went to find Cheney. “Thanks anyway, Corbin,” I called over my shoulder.
    So much for appealing to someone who’d been there before me. Back to the drawing board.
     

 

     

     
    Our options had never been good, but now they were practically nonexistent. There was only one last person to appeal to, though it wouldn’t be easy or pleasant—my father. He was the only person I could think of who might have an idea of where to find a map or anything to assist Selene in the absence of a guide. Not going wasn’t a choice. There wasn’t a single fiber of my being that was willing to resign itself to the idea that in less than one week I would lose her forever. Selene was strong. She could make it through the Underworld. She had to because every other option was too terrible to think about.
    Approaching my father was delicate though. Whether or not he would help depended on the approach. If he knew this had to do with Selene, there was no way we